Exakta lenses

The Exakta lens mount was introduced in 1936 with the Kine-Exakta model made by Ihagee. It would be used on most of the later Exakta models, as well as the Exa models until 1977.

The lens mount was also adopted by the Japanese manufacturer Tōkyō Kōgaku for the Topcon 35mm SLRs released from 1957 and sold until the end of the 1970s.

A huge number of lenses was produced in that mount, made by all sorts of manufacturers, but we can try to list some of them.

Angénieux

Here are the known types of finish:

• type I: black with three chrome rings
• type II:

• 35/2.5 Type R1

Arco

The company Arco (manufacturer of the Arco 35) made some lenses in Exakta mount.

The Colinar or Tele-Colinar 13.5cm f/3.8 lens made in Leica screw mount was perhaps offered in Exakta mount too, with manual diaphragm. It is mentioned under product code TZ-10 with f/3.8 maximal aperture in a list owned by Abe Masao, Arco's former camera designer. This list says that the production began in June 1952. However no f/3.8 lens has yet been observed in Exakta mount, and it is not in Ihagee.org's lens list.

The most common Arco lens in Exakta mount is the preset Tele-Colinar 13.5cm f/3.5, also available in 42mm screw mount, curiously not mentioned in Abe Masao's list. It has an alloy barrel, heavy aperture and preset rings and depth-of-field indications placed in front of the focus ring, the reverse of the usual configuration. It is engraved MADE IN JAPAN under the lens head. The examples observed have a six-digit serial number in the 12xxxx or 13xxxx range. The number sequence might be shared with the Colinar 5cm f/2.8 and 5cm f/3.5 of the Arco 35 and Arco 35 Junior but this is unsure.

Arco also made a Colinar 105/4 lens head for use with bellows, with manual diaphragm. It is mentioned in Abe Masao's list under product code Tr105-23, with production beginning in August 1953, and in Ihagee.org's lens list.

Abe Masao's list also contains two other lenses which did not make it. The first one is a Colinar 50/2.8, with product code G-5028, designed in August 1953, probably a version of the lens of the Arco 35. The second one is Colinar 8.5cm f/2, with product code LE-4, designed in October 1953, certainly similar to the lens produced from February 1954 in Leica screw mount.

Berthiot

• Olor 38/5.7, chrome, not a retrofocus design, manual diaphragm

Canon

According to Peter Dechert, Canon made a pair of lenses in Exakta mount in 1955. As he points out, these lenses should not be confused with later lenses marked "EX" for an entirely different mount.

• 100/3.5 EX
• 135/3.5 EX

Corfield

Corfield seems to have sold some lenses in Exakta mount for their Periflex models with Exakta bayonet. These lenses were made by Enna.

• 35/3.5 Retro-Lumax (Enna type I preset)
• 135/3.5 Tele-Lumax (preset?)

A Vines Retro-Lumax 35/3.5 preset lens has been seen at ebay auction with Exakta mount. On the box there is a Vines Cameras logo, and the lens does not look like Enna lenses. A Vines Tele-Lumax 105/2.4 lens has also been reported in Exakta mount over a T2 mount.

Enna

Enna was a German independent optical company, that made most of their lenses in M42 mount. Some were sold under the Revue distributor name. Here are the known types of finish:

• type I: chrome, preset or manual diaphragm
• type II: black with knurled rings and wide chrome stripes, preset diaphragm
• type II tele: black with wide chrome stripes, manual diaphragm
• type III: black with many fine chrome stripes, auto diaphragm unless noted
• type III tele: all black, crackled finish, except the base with chrome stripes, manual diaphragm unless noted
• type IV: all black, auto diaphragm

The lenses are listed, with the types known to exist for sure:

• 28/3.5 Ultra-Lithagon (I preset)
• 35/4.5 Lithagon (I preset)
• 35/3.5 Lithagon (II preset)
• 35/2.5 Super-Lithagon (I preset)
• 85/1.5 Ennalyt (I preset, III preset)
• 135/2.8 Tele-Ennalyt (III preset)
• 400/4.5 Tele-Ennalyt (III tele)
• 85-250/4 Tele-Zoom (III tele preset)

Enna also made a range of sockel lenses. A socket base comprised the mount and focusing mechanism, and an interchangeable optical unit could be mounted on it. There were two generations of sockel lenses, one with semi-automatic diaphragm (manual cocking) and the other with fully auto diaphragm. The two generations were incompatible between them.

Lenses for the first sockel system (black with wide chrome stripes):

• 28/3.5 Lithagon
• 35/2.8 Lithagon
• 50/1.9 Ennalyt
• 135/3.5 Tele-Ennalyt
• 240/4.5 Tele-Ennalyt

At the beginning, on the lenses sold on the US market, the name Lithagon and Ennalyt was replaced by Sandmar.

Lenses for the second sockel system (black with many thin chrome stripes):

• 28/3.5 Lithagon, later Ennalyt
• 35/2.8 Lithagon, later Ennalyt
• 50/1.9 Ennalyt
• 90/2.8 Tele-Ennalyt
• 135/2.8 Tele-Ennalyt
• 240/4.5 Tele-Ennalyt

Feinmess

The East German optical company Feinmess made one lens in Exakta mount, the 105/4.5 Bonotar, in alu finish with knurled rings. This lens also equipped some East German 6x9 folding cameras like the Belfoca. It is said about 4,000 were produced in Exakta mount (see here).

Isco

Isco was a succursal of Schneider, and made a lesser range of lenses. They made some in Exakta mount. Here are the known types of finish:

• type I: all chrome, slim barrel manual diaphragm
• type II: chrome, big knurled rings
• type IIb: black with wide chrome stripes, big knurled rings, auto diaphragm
• type III: all black, big knurled rings
• type IV: shape of inverted cone, black with wide chrome stripes, auto diaphragm
• type V: shape of inverted cone, all black, preset diaphragm

The lenses are listed, with the types known to exist for sure:

• 24/4 Westrogon (IIb)
• 180/2.8 Tele-Iscaron (V)

Kilfitt

Kilfitt lenses had a set of adapters, to attach them on various lens mounts. The only Kilfitt lens with a fixed Exakta mount was the 40mm Makro-Kilar.

• 4cm f/3.5 Makro-Kilar D, chrome, s/n 211-XXXX
• 4cm f/3.5 Makro-Kilar E, chrome, s/n 209-XXXX
• 4cm f/2.8 Makro-Kilar D, chrome, then black, s/n 245-XXXX
• 4cm f/2.8 Makro-Kilar E, chrome, then black, s/n 246-XXXX

The markings evolved from Kamerabau-Anstalt-Vaduz Kilfitt-Makro-Kilar to Heinz Kilfitt München Makro-Kilar to Kilfitt München Makro-Kilar.

Sankyō Kōki / Komura

Made by Sankyō Kōki

• 105/2.8, black with wide chrome stripes, preset
• 135/2.8, black with chrome mount, preset
• 200/3.5, black, preset

Ludwig

• 50/2.9 Meritar, chrome, slim barrel, then heavy barrel with knurled rings, then conical barrels with black stripes

Meyer

Meyer was the second East German provider of Exakta lenses, after Carl Zeiss Jena.

The main types of finish are listed by chronological order:

• type 0: chrome or alu finish, slim barrel, manual diaphragm
• type I: alu finish, knurled focusing ring, preset, semi auto (manual winding) or auto diaphragm
• type pre-II: black with a chrome band and indentations around the focusing ring, auto diaphragm
• type II: black with wide chrome stripes, preset or auto diaphragm
• type III: black, slightly knurled focusing ring, some chrome on diaphragm ring, auto diaphragm
• type Tele: alu or black finish, manual or preset diaphragm (tele lenses)
• type Tele II: black with chrome stripes, preset diaphragm

Some lenses (type III) had internal auto diaphragm coupling, to use with the Exakta RTL 1000.

The lenses are listed, with the types known to exist for sure:

• 29/2.8 Orestegon (III RTL)
• 30/3.5 Lydith (II preset)
• 35/4.5 Primagon (I preset)
• 50/3.5 Primotar E (I semi auto)
• 50/2.9 Trioplan (I preset)
• 50/2.8 Domiplan (II auto)
• 50/1.8 Oreston (III RTL)
• 58/1.9 Primoplan (0 chrome, 0 alu, I preset)
• 100/2.8 Trioplan (0, I preset, I auto pre-II)
• 100/2.8 Orestor (II preset, III RTL)
• 135/2.8 Orestor (II preset)
• 150/5.5 Telemegor (0)
• 180/5.5 Telemegor (0)
• 180/3.5 Primotar (Tele chrome manual, Tele black preset)
• 200/4 Orestegor (II preset)
• 250/5.5 Telemegot (Tele chrome preset)
• 300/4.5 Telemegor (Tele black preset)
• 400/5.5 Telemegor (Tele black preset)

Olympus

Olympus made one lens in Exakta mount.

Pentacon

It was the new name of the Meyer lenses after some point. The lenses have no individual name, just the Pentacon auto marking.

Finish types continue the Meyer types:

• type III: black, slightly knurled focusing ring, some chrome on diaphragm ring, auto diaphragm
• type IIIb: black, knurled focusing ring, black diaphragm ring
• type IV: all black with a diamond pattern on the focusing ring, later with multicoating

The lenses marked Pentacon auto had auto diaphragm, the lenses simply marked Pentacon had preset diaphragm. Some lenses had internal auto diaphragm coupling, to use with the Exakta RTL 1000.

The lenses are listed, with the types known to exist for sure:

• 29/2.8 auto (III RTL)

Piesker

Made by Piesker Berlin in West Germany.

• 85/2 Picon, chrome (see Exakta obscurities by Gary Cullen here, also seen at ebay auction)
• 250/5.5 Tele-Picon, chrome with black tripod collar
• 250/5.5 Tele-Astra, same lens as above with another name
• 250/5.5 Tele-Votar, as above with very minor changes

Rodenstock

Rodenstock made some lenses in Exakta mount, but they are quite uncommon.

• 30/2.8 Eurygon, black with wide chrome stripes, knurled rings, auto diaphragm
• 135/4 Rotelar, black with wide chrome stripes, knurled rings, auto diaphragm

Roeschlein

To be done.

Schacht

Schacht also made some Exakta lenses. Here are the known types of finish:

• type I: all chrome, massive knurled rings, manual diaphragm
• type II: black with wide chrome stripes, knurled rings, semi-auto diaphragm (needs manual winding)
• type III: black with wide chrome stripes, flat rings, auto diaphragm

The lenses are listed, with the types known to exist for sure:

• 50/2.8 Macro-Travenar R (III preset)
• 135/3.5 Travenar R (III)

Schneider

Schneider made some of their lenses in Exakta mount. The types of finish are listed in chronological order:

• type 0: all chrome or black and chrome, manual diaphragm
• type I: all chrome, knurled rings, extenal auto diaphragm
• type II: black with wide chrome stripes, knurled rings, preset diaphragm
•  ??type LM: like type II with the possibility to mount a selenium light meter above the lens
•  ??type IIb: like type II with thinner chrome stripes and flatter rings, auto diaphragm

The lenses are listed, with the types known to exist for sure:

• 50/1.9 Xenon (I auto)
• 135/3.5 Tele-Xenar (II preset)
• 360/5.5 Tele-Xenar (0 black and chrome, II)

Schneider also made lenses for the Exakta Real special lens mount.

Steinheil

Steinheil made a range of lenses in Exakta mount. The types of finish were:

• type 0: all chrome, slim barrel, manual diaphragm
• type I: all chrome, sometimes all black except the mount, knurled rings, preset diaphragm
• type Iauto: all chrome, knurled rings, auto diaphragm, black or chrome release part
• type preII: black with wide chrome stripes, knurled rings, auto diaphragm
• type II: black with wide chrome stripes, auto diaphragm
• type IIb: like type II with the stripes very close together

The lenses are listed, with the types known to exist for sure:

• 35/2.8 Auto-Quinar (Iauto black release)
• 40/3.5 Cassaron (0)
• 55/1.9 Auto-Quinon (Iauto black release, Iauto chrome release)
• 100/3.5 Auto-Quinar (Iauto black release)
• 135/3.5 Auto-Tele-Quinar (Iauto black release)
• 135/2.8 Auto-D-Tele-Quinar (II)
• 200/4.5 (I black)

Taika

• 58/1.2 Harigon, black with chrome mount, (seen with distance in feet only)

Tōkyō Kōgaku (Topcor)

To be done.

Carl Zeiss Jena

Carl Zeiss Jena was the main official supplier of Exakta lenses. The main types of finish are listed in chronological order:

• type 0: black or alu finish, slim barrel, manual or preset diaphragm
• type I: alu finish, knurled focusing ring, manual, preset or semi-auto diaphragm
• type II: black with one chrome ring and leatherette on the focusing ring, external auto diaphragm
• type III: black and chrome with a bumpy rubber focusing ring, external auto diaphragm
• type IV: black with wide chrome stripes, external auto diaphragm

Some lenses had internal auto diaphragm coupling, to use with the Exakta RTL 1000.

The lenses are listed, with the types known to exist for sure:

• 25/4 Flektogon (II)
• 35/2.8 Flektogon (I semi-auto)
• 40/4.5 Tessar (0 chrome manual)
• 50/2.8 Tessar (I preset)
• 50/2 Pancolar (II)
• 50/1.8 Pancolar (IV RTL)
• 80/2.8 Biometar or Bm (I preset, II)
• 135/4 Sonnar (II)
• 180/2.8 Sonnar: changeable lens mount, first black preset, then Pentacon 6 type with an adapter
• 300/4 Sonnar: changeable lens mount, first black preset, then Pentacon 6 type with an adapter
• 500/8 Fernobjektiv: changeable lens mount, manual diaphragm, first black finish, then leatherette finish

A 75/1.5 B, second version, has been offered at ebay in all black finish, meter scale in white and feet scale in red, marking CZJM 06/15 on the barrel.

Bibliography

• Dechert, Peter. Canon Rangefinder Cameras 1933–68. Hove, East Sussex: Hove Foto Books, 1985. ISBN 0-906447-30-5.
• Hagiya Takeshi (萩谷剛). "Aruko 35: Shashin-yōhin kara kamera soshite 8mm" (アルコ35:写真用品からカメラそして8mmへ, Arco 35: From photo supply to cameras to 8mm). Chapter 3 of Zunō kamera tanjō: Sengo kokusan kamera jū monogatari (ズノーカメラ誕生：戦後国産カメラ10物語, The birth of the Zunow camera: Ten stories of postwar Japanese camera makers). Tokyo: Asahi Sonorama, 1999. ISBN 4-257-12023-1. First published as an article in Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.16. About the Arco cameras and lenses.